Flickr: Casamelo

By  Eric Bitet, LMHC, MA, MPH

As Halloween is now only two days away, October, also identified as Breast Cancer Awareness month, is coming to a close. During this time of heighten media exposure to Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, how many of us took notice?  How many of us thought twice about breast cancer or even take it seriously as a legitimate life threatening disease?  Our city, state, and federal health departments as well as organizations such as the American Cancer Society have organized breast cancer education campaigns and preventative screening programs that are of little or no cost. But it is up to you to take notice and be proactive about your health and wellness.

So maybe you believe ignorance is bliss, or you think it can’t happen to you?  According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the most recent ‘national incidence and mortality statistics’ from 2005 show that 186,467 woman and 1,764 men were diagnosed with breast cancer and 41,116 women and 375 men died from breast cancer.  It is the seventh leading cause of death among women.  In addition, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed and 40,170 people will die from breast cancer in 2009 alone.

Overall, there has been an improvement in the number of deaths resulting from breast cancer  and it may be attributed to the increasing efforts of health departments and cancer groups to educate our communities and increase awareness about the seriousness of breast cancer.  We are told to get screened. The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) reports that having a screening mammography is an important way to identify potential cancer at an earlier stage and reduce the risk of death from breast cancer.  It is important that we get educated and become more aware. Make an appointment to speak with your physician and request a mammogram or contact your local health department and request information about breast cancer and find the nearest clinic offering breast cancer screenings.  For New York residents, visit the NYC DOHMH website link provided below for screening programs and clinic locations at (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cancer/cancerbreast.shtml

Paying closer attention yet?  Hopefully!  But how does a woman or less commonly a man know when they should seek help?

Where do you begin?  What do you need to know? Become familiar with risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer.

The CDC indicates that there are several risk factors that can increase your chance of getting breast cancer.  These risk factors include:

Aging

Having menstrual periods early in life

Personal history of having breast cancer or other benign breast tissue diseases

Family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, father, daughter)

Having a genetic conditions such as the gene mutations BRCA1 & BRCA2

Having been treated with radiation therapy to breast or chest

Using oral contraceptives

Not having children or having your first child later in life

Beginning menopause at a later age

Using hormone replacement therapy for a long time

Being overweight especially after menopause

Being physically inactive

Drinking alcohol

Many people fall into one of these risk factor categories and should explore further with their physician the effects these risk factors may have on them.

Equally as important are recognizing the symptoms once cancer cells are present with breast tissue.  According to the CDC when breast cancer is in it’s initial phase it is too small to recognize and does not cause any signs or symptoms.  However, as it grows it can begin to alter how the breast feels and looks and can be identified by several different symptoms which may include:

A new lump in the breast

A change in the shape or size of the breast

Pain in the breast or nipple that does not go away

Flaky, red, or swollen skin, anywhere on the breast

For a full list of symptoms and a more in-depth look at the risk factors, symptoms, and other important information about breast cancer please visit the CDC website at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/pdf/BreastCancerFS.pdf

Information and knowledge is our greatest weapon against disease.  The body is a fortress and our immune system is in army!  Protect it by living healthier lives and becoming informed about health risks and particularly breast cancer risk factors. It is our greatest defense and chance to prevent such a dangerous and life threatening disease.  But, it is up to you.

What do you think your level of awareness is ?